Reddit mentions of GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, 3-Way Compatible, ZWave Hub Required, Repeater/Range Extender, Toggle, 14292

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I've replaced most of the switches in my house with these

GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Lighting Control Light Switch

I also have a Wink Hub 2 as my zwave controller. They're not expensive (around $30 depending on sales) and come in toggle or paddle style.

What about leaving the existing cover and using toggles instead? https://smile.amazon.com/GE-Wireless-Lighting-Repeater-14291/dp/B06VYCFXT4/

The old Insteon ToggleLinc switches look sort of like the traditional up/down switches. But of course these require an Insteon-compatible hub. Looks like GE makes an equivalent "Z-Wave Plus In-Wall Smart Lighting Control Smart Toggle Switch"

I use toggles where I have wallpapered switchplates with the small opening and don't want to replace the switchplate.

With HA toggle switches, the toggle always sits in a middle position (neither up nor down) and returns to that position after you flick it up or down manually. This means it will look a little out of place in a gang box if some are traditional toggles and others are "smart" toggles. When I have it in a single-gang by itself, most of my guests don't even notice the difference.

That depends on what sort of hub you have. I used and really like these, so if you have smartthings or another z-wave compatible hub I'd recommend these.

They also come with good enough instructions that someone like me who has never worked with electricity understood what I was doing.

On-off

Dimmer

They're these: GE Z-Wave Plus Wireless Smart Lighting Control Smart Toggle Switch, On/Off, In-Wall, White, Works with Amazon Alexa (Hub Required), 14292 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VYCFXT4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nD95AbKGCA0NT

If a buy a bunch of GE branded Z-Wave switches, such as this one (I need the small switch style) : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VYCFXT4/

And I buy a Z-Wave hub, like the Samsung here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010NZV0GE/

Will I need to have TWO android apps on my phone?

If you don't want to change the wallplate, Zooz (and GE) make a toggle switch that works on z-wave.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A3SBTM6

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Wireless-Lighting-Control-14295/dp/B06VYCFXT4

The zooz works with existing 3-way switches without having to buy the add-on that GE does.

You can get z-wave remotes as well:

https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-Aeon-Labs-ZW130-WallMote/dp/B01NCEJAOD

Here are the most recent ones I bought:

Sengled Element Classic Smart LED Light Bulb (Hub Required), A19 Dimmable LED Light Daylight 5000K 60W Equivalent, Works with Alexa/Echo Plus/SmartThings/Google Assistant, 8 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0791ZWZ2Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ZKIUBb4PX2P98

Either the price went up or I was remembering it wrong. Probably the latter. Just under $10 each with free shipping.

Edit:

GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Lighting Control Light Switch, Toggle Style, On/Off, In-Wall, White, Repeater and Range Extender, Zwave Hub Required- Works with SmartThings Wink and Alexa, 14292 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VYCFXT4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wPIUBbVERMQDW

Here is the switch I got also.

The bulbs run into the issues you already have with your s\o. Always at some point someone will have those issues with the bulbs. Also when the bulb goes out you have to get an entire new smart bulb and sync that into your system. And outside of the more expensive brands are you sure the app is gonna be kept up to date for security? Or even have the cloud server still operating in 5 years so they even work? Having your own zwave or zigbee hub ensures that it will always work because your setup is not dependant on a server in "the cloud". The smart switches I am talking about actually replace your current in wall switches so they work the same and look the same. (Or close enough that it's not a noticeable difference.) Here is a basic on off switch that I have used. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VYCFXT4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_nF5IDbWFE6V11
These kind of switches need a neutral wire in the box and need a hub (premade or diy like openhab) to become smart. If you don't have a neutral wire and can't run one you will need (sometimes more expensive) battery powered controllers that cover your current switch.
Here is one I use that actually switches the regular switch.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K3TRG6W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_tK5IDb8VDBB5H
There are also setup options that use a button that sits over your switch and you leave the switch on and the button controls smart bulbs but those can be harder to set up plus the cost of both smart switch and smart bulbs. There are zwave and zigbee bulbs for cases where a bulb is a better choice but most of the time switches are better.